Painted Houses

“for they gave that to those who did the work, and with it they repaired the house of the LORD.”
2 Kings 12:14

2015 has been a year of great joy and celebration. It has also been one with its share of transition, sadness, pain and struggle. It’s amazing how the Lord uses the ordinary to speak to my heart. He unfolds life lessons in the mundane items bringing forth a new and refreshing perspective.

This fall, my husband and I took a hard look on the outside of our home. The paint had bubbled up from intense heat over the past several summers. In some areas the paint had peeled away exposing the harsh white primer beneath the surface. In others the paint had either chipped or faded so badly we couldn’t believe the true color of our home once painting began. It had faded that much….yikes! In addition, the siding rotted in areas around the guttering and needed immediate repair.

The outside of our home reflected the inside of my heart. Life became jumbled and awkward through multiple transitions. The kids all in different age stages required unique and new parenting skills. We also experienced the death of a loved one taken too soon. The toll on everyone peeled away at my heart. In addition, we came to realize a breakdown in communication needing intentional repair and TLC. The bubbling paint matched my emotions as they waited to overflow with the slightest bit of chipping exposing the damage eating away at my heart. The vibrant joy and great celebrations experienced gave way to the dull and heavy weight 2015 brought with it instead. Needless to say, I was tired, worn, and beaten down much like our house.

One day, I sat listening to the pounding on the house from the carpenters replacing the rotted siding. Each bang louder that the last caused walls to shake and my nerves to unravel. WHEN would they be done! As my irritability began to fester, a small voice within caught my attention becoming increasingly louder with each whack of the hammer. “Pay attention! Look at what I’m doing! I’m making things new!” I watched as the painters stroked new life on our home and again the still, small voice said, “I see you and your pain! I’m bringing healing to your heart!” With each roar of the carpenter’s saw, “Look, I’m repairing what’s been broken! Trust me!” Tears of joy came bursting forth as I realized, yet again, He hears my every cry! He hears my heart’s plea! Just when I feel I’m down to nothing, He appears and reassures me that He’s up to something! Who would have thought the Lord would use the painting and repairing of our home to speak to my heart.

In 2 Kings 12, we read how King Joash oversaw those chosen to manage the work needed done to repair the Temple for the Lord. Like King Joash, we hired others to make the physical repairs needed on our home. However it IS the Lord who oversees our spiritual repairs and TAKES charge over them. Not me or my husband, but the Lord! We just need to FIX our EYES on Him and Trust Him!

Sometimes the makeover we seek is not on the outside with mere physical paint and nails; but rather the nail-pierced hands of Jesus painting and restoring our hearts with His mercy, love and grace.

“Praise the Lord!
    For he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and shield.
    I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
    I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.